Strategic Insights: PCB Opportunities in EV Manufacturing

The global printed circuit board (PCB) market for electric vehicles (EVs) is set to experience substantial growth, with the market size projected to increase from US$ 1.7 Bn in 2024 to US$ 4.4 Bn by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by the rapid electrification of the automotive industry, increasing adoption of autonomous and connected technologies, and government initiatives to boost EV infrastructure and sustainability.

As EVs transition from a niche market to mainstream transportation, PCBs have emerged as essential components that facilitate advanced power management, data communication, and system control.

 

🔍 Analysts’ Viewpoint: PCB – The Nervous System of Electric Vehicles

Printed circuit boards serve as the central backbone of electrical and electronic architecture in electric vehicles. From managing battery performance to enabling autonomous navigation, PCBs ensure reliable connections between hardware components. Analysts note that the convergence of electrification, digitization, and autonomy will significantly elevate the role of PCBs in vehicle design.

Moreover, strategic partnerships, government-backed R&D incentives, and increased funding under policies like the CHIPS and Science Act in the U.S. are bolstering the industry. As manufacturers embrace flexible, heat-resistant, and multi-layer PCBs, their capabilities are evolving to match the increasing complexity of EV systems.

 

📈 Market Drivers

1. Growing Investments in EV Supply Chain

The transition to e-mobility has driven automakers, governments, and tech companies to invest heavily in developing EV infrastructure, including domestic PCB production. For instance:

• In 2023, U.S. EV sales rose by 60%, driving component demand.
• The European Commission committed over US$ 6 Bn in EV infrastructure, including electronics.
• The U.S. Department of Commerce pledged US$ 3 Bn for domestic PCB manufacturing.

Strategic collaborations between automakers like Volkswagen and Bosch and PCB manufacturers are being established to ensure stable production and technology co-development.

2. Rise of Autonomous and Connected Vehicles

As vehicles advance from Level 3 to Level 4 autonomy, the electronic content per vehicle increases substantially. Autonomous driving systems require PCBs capable of:

• High-frequency data transmission (up to 50 Gbps)
• Multi-sensor input/output processing
• Thermal and electromagnetic interference (EMI) management

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently allocated the 5.9 GHz spectrum to support vehicle safety communication systems (V2X), creating further demand for high-speed, low-latency PCBs.

3. Flexible and Lightweight Designs

Next-gen EVs prioritize lightweight construction and space-efficient component layouts, driving adoption of flexible PCBs (FPCBs) and rigid-flex configurations. These innovations:

• Reduce system weight
• Improve battery range
• Allow compact and intricate component layouts, particularly for Battery Management Systems (BMS) and infotainment units

Studies from MIT and University of California, Berkeley highlight how ultra-thin, flexible PCBs improve energy efficiency and battery longevity by over 30%.

 

🧩 Market Segmentation Highlights

✅ By Type: Multilayer PCBs Dominate

In 2024, multilayer PCBs held a 73.98% share of the market. Their popularity is due to:

• Superior thermal conductivity
• Enhanced signal integrity
• Smaller footprint with greater functionality

These PCBs are indispensable in ADAS, power inverters, and motor control units, offering a balanced solution between performance, reliability, and design efficiency.

✅ By Application: BMS and ADAS Lead Demand

Key application areas include:

• Battery Management Systems (BMS)
• Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Infotainment and connectivity
• Powertrain control

PCBs in BMS need to manage heat dissipation, power routing, and data monitoring, while ADAS units demand ultra-fast signal processing.

 

🌏 Regional Outlook: East Asia Remains the Global Hub

East Asia accounted for 68.3% of the market share in 2024, thanks to:

• Advanced PCB manufacturing infrastructure
• High concentration of automotive electronics suppliers
• Strong government support for EVs and semiconductors

Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea boast highly integrated supply chains and benefit from low production costs, skilled labor, and R&D excellence. These nations are also major exporters of PCBs and EV components globally.

As global EV adoption accelerates, East Asia is poised to retain its leadership, providing next-gen PCBs to automakers and OEMs worldwide.

 

🏭 Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

The printed circuit board market for EVs is highly competitive, with manufacturers focusing on:

• Product innovation
• Capacity expansion
• Strategic partnerships
• Localization of supply chains

Notable Players:

• ABL Circuits
• AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik
• Chin Poon Industrial
• Compeq Manufacturing
• LG Innotek
• TTM Technologies
• Nan Ya PCB
• Zhen Ding Tech Group

Recent Developments:

• October 2024: Mektec invested 920 million baht in Thailand to expand FPCB production for EVs.
• July 2024: Omron launched a high-power PCB relay for Level 2 EV charging stations, enabling compact and energy-efficient designs.

These developments reflect the industry's movement toward energy-efficient, heat-resistant, and compact PCB solutions to power the next generation of electric mobility.

 

🔮 Future Outlook: The Evolution of PCB in EV Ecosystems

The future of printed circuit boards in EVs will be defined by the convergence of smart mobility, electrification, and autonomy. We can expect:

• Growth in HDI and ultra-high-speed PCBs
• Wider adoption of ceramic and metal-based boards for thermal resilience
• Integration of AI-powered sensors and IoT modules into PCB architecture
• Rising demand for sustainable materials and circular economy principles

To keep pace with demand, governments and private players will need to invest in local manufacturing, design innovation, and workforce upskilling to minimize reliance on imports and improve supply chain resilience.